A former nurse at The Horton Hospital, in Banbury, has been charged with murder following the deaths of two elderly patients.

Benjamin David Geen, 24, of Kennedy House, Orchard Way, Banbury, appeared at the town's magistrates court yesterday charged with killing David Onley, 77, and Anthony Bateman, 67.

He also faced six charges of causing grievous bodily harm to patients, including assaults on Mr Onley and Mr Bateman.

He was remanded in custody and will appear again at Oxford Crown Court on Friday. All the offences allegedly happened in January 2004 when Geen was working at the Horton.

Geen was charged in November last year with 12 counts of grievous bodily harm to patients and was released on bail then by Bicester magistrates pending further inquiries. He now faces 20 charges.